EXTENDED Through May 20! Written and originally directed by Ted Swindley Based on a true story Directed by Sandy Ernst Kelley Faulkner in The Rep’s 2011/12 Always . Patsy Cline. Photo by Michael Brosilow. ALWAYS . .PATSY CLINE PLAY GUIDE Play Guide written by Jordan Hunt Education Intern Play Guide edited by Leda Hoffmann Education Coordinator Lisa Fulton Marketing Director Brent Hazelton Patsy Cline with band. Associate Artistic Director Jenny Kostreva Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents Education Director Always . Patsy Cline EXTENDED! Now through May 20, 2012 Neal Easterling Stackner Cabaret Education Assistant Written and originally directed by Ted Swindley - based on a true story Directed by Sandy Ernst Graphic Design by Megan Gadient “We end our 2011/12 Season in the Stackner Cabaret with an inspirational tribute to one of the greatest singers in the history of country music. I love her songs, and I can’t wait to Tickets: 414-224-9490 www.MilwaukeeRep.com hear them live in the Stackner backed by an onstage band.” Mark Clements -Mark Clements, Artistic Director Artistic Director Dawn Helsing Wolters Managing Director TABLE OF CONTENTS MILWAUKEE REPERTORY Page 3 Synopsis THEATER 108 E. Wells Street Page 4 Patsy Cline Biography Milwaukee, WI • 53202 Page 6 Interview with Kelley Faulkner, The Rep’s Patsy Cline Page 7 Visiting The Rep Page 8 2012/13 Stackner Season Always . .Patsy Cline Play Guide • pg 2 THE SYNOPSIS Based on a true story, Always . Patsy Cline recalls music legend Patsy Cline and her real-life friendship with Louise Seger. The story begins with Louise sitting at her kitchen table. She confesses she would call into her local radio station nearly every day to request a Patsy Cline song. During one of those requests, the station DJ mentions to Louise that Patsy will be performing in Louise’s hometown that night. At that night’s performance, Louise arrives at the dance hall early and meets Patsy Cline. The two become fast friends, and Patsy even lets Louise join her on stage. Patsy performs her show, singing hits such as “Walkin’ after Midnight,” “Crazy,” Patsy Cline Album and “I Fall to Pieces.” After a full evening together, Louise drops Patsy off at the airport and they promise to keep in touch. They do, exchanging letters for several years. Louise finally describes hearing an announcement, years later, that Patsy Cline died in a plane crash. The show ends with Patsy returning to the stage and singing farewell songs with Louise. Louise Seger THE CHARACTERS PATSY CLINE (Kelley Faulkner) The legendary country singer. LOUISE SEGER (Angela Iannone) Longtime fan and friend of Patsy Cline. Angela Iannone, Kelley Faulkner and band in The Rep’s 2011/12 Always . Patsy Cline. Photo by Michael Brosilow. www.MilwaukeeRep.com • pg 3 PATSY CLINE Virginia Patterson Hensley, who would later be known as Patsy Cline, was born September 8th, 1932, in Gore, Virginia, to Samuel Hensley, a 43 year old blacksmith, and Hilda Patterson Hensley, a 16 year old seamstress. The two were married six days before Patsy was born. Patsy had an early interest in singing and sang in the church choir. When she turned 13, Patsy developed rheumatic fever, which resulted in a throat infection. When she recovered, she discovered that her voice had changed, and she now “had this booming voice like Kate Smith’s.” When her father left in 1947, Patsy dropped out of high school to help support her family. That same year, after standing in the hallway of a radio station for several weeks watching the other performers through a window, Patsy sang on the air for the first time, was well received, and was asked to return. Patsy met Gerald Cline, a general contractor, in her early 20s and married him in 1953. In 1955, Four Star – a subsidiary of Decca Records, the label with which Patsy would find long term success – signed her to her first recording contract. On January 7, 1956, Patsy appeared on network television for the first time, singing on ABC’s Grand Ole Opry. Later that year, she recorded Patsy Cline Poster her first album, Patsy Cline, which featured the song “Walkin’ after Midnight”. She also met her future husband, Charlie Dick, in that same year. In 1957, Patsy and Gerald divorced, due to Gerald’s desire for Patsy to take a more traditional housewife’s role, and Patsy’s desire to sing professionally. On January 21st, 1957, Patsy appeared on Alfred Godfrey’s Talent Scouts and won. This exposure led to “Walking after Midnight” reaching No. 2 on the country charts and No. 12 on the pop charts, making her one of the first female singers to have a crossover hit. Some of Patsy Cline’s Hit Songs In 1960, she was asked to join the cast of the Grand Ole Opry, a weekly concert, and her contract with Four Star “Walkin’ After Midnight” ended. She immediately signed with Decca Records, and “Sweet Dreams (of You)” in 1961 released “I Fall to Pieces,” a single that hit No. 12 “Crazy” on the pop charts and No. 6 on the adult contemporary “I Fall to Pieces” charts, making her a true household name. In June of that “So Wrong” year, Cline was in a horrible car accident; she was thrown “Strange” into the windshield and nearly died. After a month in the “Back in Baby’s Arms” hospital, Cline needed a new hit. She found one in Willie “She’s Got You” Nelson’s “Crazy,” a song which she initially hated. “Faded Love” “Why Can’t He Be You” During the next few years, Patsy was truly at the peak of “You’re Stronger Than Me” her career, with successes including: being the first female “Leavin’ on Your Mind” country singer to headline her own show; headlining Always . .Patsy Cline Play Guide • pg 4 the Hollywood Bowl with Johnny Cash (who introduced her as “The One and Only Patsy Cline”); and being the first female country singer to headline a Las Vegas show. On March 5th, 1963, Patsy boarded a small plane headed from Kansas City to Nashville with fellow country singers Hankshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas. The pilot, who was also her manager, Randy Hughes, was not instrument- trained and flew only visually, a feat nearly impossible in the heavy rain through which they were flying. At approximately 6:20 pm, the plane went down near Camden, Tennessee, a small town only 90 miles away from her intended destination of Nashville. Newspaper article on Patsy Cline’s death. ₪ FURTHER READING Honky Tonk Angel: The Intimate Story of Patsy Cline by Ellis Nassour Patsy: The Life And Times Of Patsy Cline by Margaret Jones ₪ FURTHER VIEWING Sweet Dreams with Jessica Lang and Ed Harris A film about Patsy’s relationship with second husband Charlie Dick and her career up to her death. Coal Miner’s Daughter with Sissy Spacek and Tommy Lee Jones A film about Patsy’s friend and fellow country star Loretta Lynn Kelley Faulkner in The Rep’s 2011/12 Always . Patsy Cline. Photo by Michael Brosilow. www.MilwaukeeRep.com • pg 5 INTERVIEW WITH KELLEY FAULKNER, THE REP’S PATSY CLINE Jordan Hunt: Were you a Patsy Cline fan before you started working on this show? What was your previous exposure to her? Kelley Faulkner: I was a HUGE Patsy fan already! In fact, I had a Patsy Cline karaoke tape that I would sing along with at home as a Kelley Faulkner and Angela Iannone in The Rep’s 2011/12 little girl. I have always loved her music. Always . Patsy Cline. Photo by Michael Brosilow. JH: What is it like to play a character based on a real person, with such a distinct personality and a well- known voice? KF: It is definitely daunting. Her voice was so unique and special, and audiences will have a very specific expectation of me as a performer. I think my vocal quality is similar enough to Patsy’s naturally to make a credible impersonation possible. I don’t want this performance to just be an impersonation, though. I think it is important to really live in this role and sing these songs from my gut. Patsy was known for expressing deep emotion through her music, and I hope to do the same. JH: Outside of rehearsals, what are some ways you have prepared for this production? KF: Fortunately, there is quite a bit of research material for me to dig into. I have watched her television appearances on YouTube, seen a couple of documentaries, read a biography, and, of course, listened to all of her great music. A few months ago, I started putting on my Patsy playlist in the mornings while I played with and fed my daughter, and it was a great way to learn lyrics! JH: What is the thing you most enjoy about portraying Patsy Cline? KF: It is extremely gratifying to play such a strong woman in history. By all accounts, she was a kind and loyal person, but lord help you if you stood in her way! She was feisty, opinionated, and a perfectionist. She was such a trailblazer for women not only in country music, but music in general. The way she dressed, the material she chose, and the way she performed were all pretty daring at the time. And obviously getting to sing this music is such a treat. JH: What are some of the challenges that have been unique to this play? KF: This is the first time I have played a real person, so there is a whole extra layer of work as an actor in getting her voice and mannerisms down.